Nancy Johnson, one of the last New England Republicans to represent CT in Congress, campaigns with Greenberg

NEW BRITAIN – Former U.S. Rep. Nancy Johnson joined 5th congressional district candidate Mark Greenberg on the campaign trail Tuesday, telling a small gathering at a senior citizens center that Greenberg's Democratic opponent is spreading lies about his stance on Social Security.

Johnson, who served 12-terms in the House before she was unseated by now-Sen. Chris Murphy in 2006, said Greenberg would be an effective voice in Congress.

Greenberg's opponent, freshman U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, is telling "an outright lie" in TV commercials claiming Greenberg would end Social Security's guarantee for retirees, Johnson said. "When she does this, she sets the whole debate back,'' the former congresswoman told about a dozen people finishing up their lunch at the New Britain Senior Center.

Greenberg, a Republican real estate entrepreneur making his third run for the 5th District seat, has expressed concerns about the long term solvency of the Social Security program, as have many Democratic politicians, including President Obama. He has also voiced support for a proposal that would allow Americans to invest in a private account instead of the Social Security program, a plan that AARP and other groups have said could undermine the system.

"I am not going to take any of your benefits,'' Greenberg told the seniors. "As a matter of fact, the only thing I want to do is make sure your grandchildren…have social security for the future. All I've asked for is to have a discussion and a debate to make sure it's strong for the future."

Daniela Altimari

Nancy Johnson and Mark Greenberg greet voters at the New Britain Senior Center. The woman on the right is Althea Pagliaruli.

Nancy Johnson and Mark Greenberg greet voters at the New Britain Senior Center. The woman on the right is Althea Pagliaruli. (Daniela Altimari)

Esty spokeswoman Laura Maloney said Greenberg's proposals would "cut benefits for seniors and jeopardize them for future generations. Mark Greenberg wants to dismantle Social Security, plain and simple, and voters should know that."

Johnson was known as a New England moderate during her time in the House. She supports legalized abortion, a stance that puts her at odds with Greenberg, whom Esty has sought to brand as an extreme right-wing candidate.

But Johnson, who backed former state Sen. Andrew Roraback over Greenberg in 2012, dismissed abortion and other social issues as distractions. "We're a state that provides abortion rights, but the whole abortion issue is moving off stage,'' she said. "Those social issues that so divided the Republican party and alienated people like me are very separate from the rest of the Republican issues, which are: how do you run the economy? How do you create jobs?"

Johnson is from New Britain and remains popular in the city. Frank Pagliaruli and his wife, Althea, said were planning to vote for Greenberg even before Tuesday's campaign stop.

"I've been watching on TV and he seems pretty good,'' said Frank, a retired mechanic. But having Johnson vouch for him sealed the deal for him: "Whatever she does, I go along with."